by Joan Jonker
As they were being escorted out, Flo said to Dot, ‘Well, this is nice, isn’t it, queen? Talk about “Here’s yer hat, what’s yer hurry?” isn’t in it!’
‘She’s got no manners at all, girl, so don’t let it get to yer. Dragged up, she was, as common as muck.’
That afternoon Ginny was left in peace. No barked orders, no sneers. There was no conversation or smiles, either, but she could put up with that because her family and friends more than compensated. And while she made herself useful on the counter, she had a thought to keep her happy. Marie was coming to visit her house tomorrow night. Joan was coming, too, so it should be fun. Perhaps she should ask if Amelia would like to come as well, seeing as she hadn’t had time to make friends yet. That would make four of them, which would be great! They could always have a game of cards if they ran out of things to talk about. But somehow Ginny couldn’t see that happening. Not with Marie and Joan there. They could both talk the hind legs off a donkey.
Chapter Nineteen
On Wednesday morning the atmosphere around the haberdashery counter at Woolworth’s was decidedly chilly, but even Frances Landers couldn’t spoil Ginny’s happiness. For the first time in her life she was having invited guests to her house that night, and to her that was a definite sign she had left her childhood behind and was now an adult. A very young one, she admitted to herself, but nevertheless a working adult.
From a box under the counter, Ginny was filling up the button boxes that were running low. When she’d finished with the buttons she would move on to the needles, then the wool, until the whole counter had been topped up. They kept a stock of every item they sold, and when that was running low, the senior assistant would order more from the stock room.
Frances Landers could sense Ginny’s high spirits, and decided that as she herself had nothing to be happy about, she’d put a blight on her junior assistant. She’d take care, though, because Dorothy Sutherland’s warning had been heeded. Anything nasty she said from now on could be repeated, and she would get into trouble for it. So it wasn’t what she said that would upset the young girl, it would be the way she said it.
‘Be very careful with those buttons and needles. In fact, be careful with every single thing on the counter. You see, every few months there’s a stocktaking, and if there’s a discrepancy between the money we’ve taken and the goods we’ve sold then you’ll be in serious trouble.’
Ginny frowned. ‘How d’yer mean, I’d be in serious trouble? You’re in charge of the counter, not me, so it’s you who would be in trouble. Anyway, what do yer mean by discrepancy?’
The sneer was back on that hard face. How easy it had been to burst the stupid girl’s bubble. ‘It means we are not carrying the stock we should be, and we haven’t taken in enough money to cover the discrepancy.’
‘But I don’t handle any money, that’s your job. And I don’t refill the boxes under the counter, that’s another of your jobs.’ Ginny was getting agitated. She didn’t trust this woman who was obviously out to harm her. ‘This is only me third day here, I’m not allowed to do anything but fill up the counter, so how could I be blamed for anything?’ She was so upset she became more outspoken than she would have done if she’d been thinking clearly. ‘You’re getting paid to keep check on this counter. To make sure the customers are served right and everything runs smoothly. If it doesn’t, then it’s down to you. And I’m glad I can’t serve or use the till, ’cos then yer’d find something else to blame me for.’
Oh, what satisfaction the senior assistant was getting from Ginny’s reaction! It didn’t enter her head that this was weird. In her mind she was the only sane one. ‘Oh, it’s not only the till that things can go missing from. Every time there’s a stocktake, they find items have gone missing from most counters. Items for which no money has been received and which cannot be accounted for. Which can only mean they have been stolen.’
What’s she getting at? Ginny asked herself. Why is she telling me all this? ‘Seeing as we’re not allowed to bring bags or purses in with us, there’s no way staff can steal things. And as I don’t touch the till, or handle money, I haven’t anything to worry about, have I?’
‘If someone is a thief, then believe me they’ll find a way to steal. It’s in their blood and they can be very crafty.’
She’s doing this just to make me feel miserable, Ginny thought. And she’s trying to frighten me. Why she would want to is a mystery, but I’m not going to let her. ‘I wouldn’t know nothing about that, ’cos I’ve never stolen anything in me life. But I did hear someone say once that it takes a thief to know a thief.’
The senior assistant gasped. Although she felt anything but calm, Ginny forced herself to say, on a lighter note, ‘Oh, have yer never heard that saying before? I am surprised, seeing as yer seem to know so much about people who steal. Mind you, ye’re a lot older than me so ye’re bound to know more. Me now, I’ve never known a thief in me life. But as I’m only half your age, I’ve probably only got half your knowledge and still have a lot to learn. Although I’ve got to say I don’t really want to learn the ways and habits of people who steal. That is not why I came to work in Woolworth’s.’
Nothing more was said after that, although if Ginny had known the thoughts that were running through Frances Landers’ head, she would have had cause to worry. For revenge was uppermost in the mind of this woman who, because of her strange, selfish behaviour and lack of humour, didn’t have a friend in the world. But she didn’t need a friend, because her one joy in life was hurting people, and seeing that hurt in their eyes. She found that exhilarating and exciting.
Had her mother still been alive, she could have told people that her daughter had been like that from a very young age. At the age of two, when she was barely toddling, she’d take great delight in pinching or biting other young babies in the street. It got to the stage where women used to have to keep a close eye on their children when their prams were put out so they could get some fresh air. Frances had never been a loving child who liked to be kissed and cuddled. Had never shown love or affection to anyone, not even her own parents or the boy she was courting. So being jilted at the altar hadn’t turned her into the bitter, wicked woman she was now, for she had never been any different. And that was why the man she’d thought intended to marry her ran off with a pretty girl who knew how to laugh and to love.
For the rest of the morning Ginny kept her distance, even though she thought she’d given as good as she got, for once. The prospect of the evening ahead was soothing to her wounded pride, and she was determined that nothing would mar her first attempt at playing hostess.
‘Joey, will yer sit on the couch with yer comic instead of lying sprawled across the table?’ Ginny was on pins, wanting everywhere to look nice for Marie’s first visit. It didn’t matter so much about Joan because she’d been coming in and out of the house since she was old enough to climb the front step on her own, and Amelia had been a few times so she was no stranger. ‘Ye’re spoiling the look of the room, making it untidy.’
‘Let them sit on the flipping couch.’ There was a look of disgust on her brother’s face. ‘Why should I move ’cos yer’ve got some flipping stupid girls coming?’
Beth let out a soft sigh. She really didn’t like taking sides or showing favouritism, but she knew how important tonight was for Ginny. ‘Go on, sunshine, sit on the couch, there’s a good boy.’
‘Ah, ray, Mam! It’s coming to something when I can’t sit where I want in me own house! She’ll be asking me to go and sit in the coal-hole in a minute.’
‘Well, this is Ginny’s night to have her friends in. You can ask your mates in another night, then yer’ll be even.’
Her son gaped, as though she’d gone mad. ‘What would I invite me mates in for? They’d think I had a screw loose or was losing me marbles.’
‘That’s no reason why yer should want to spoil things for me. Honest, ye’re like a little baby crying ’cos their dummy’s fallen out of the pram.’
Ginny saw the hint of laughter in her brother’s deep brown eyes and took advantage. Slipping an arm across his shoulders, she bent and whispered, ‘Come on, ye’re always saying how much yer love yer sister, so prove it.’
‘Geroff!’ They boy tried to curl his lip like he’d seen James Cagney doing in a film, but he knew himself it wasn’t having quite the same effect. ‘Ye’re a sloppy beggar, you are.’ But he was weakening. ‘Why d’yer have to invite all girls? Why couldn’t yer invite some boys, so I’d have someone to talk to?’
Andy looked up from his evening paper. ‘Why don’t yer go and ask David to come in then? He’d be company for yer.’
If Beth had been sitting near her husband she would have given him a sharp dig. Men never thought before opening their mouths! Here she was, worried because she’d only been able to afford half-a-pound of broken biscuits, and there he was, inviting all and sundry! She’d had a job trying to pick out the almost whole biscuits, and was satisfied there’d be at least one each. If the girls wanted more, then they’d have to eat the broken ones. ‘David wouldn’t want to come in if he knew there were four girls coming. He’d run a mile.’
But Joey had perked up by this time and was moving over to the couch. ‘He’d come if he knew Bobby was going to be here, I bet yer.’
Beth put a hand to her head and groaned. The plate of broken biscuits was beginning to look pitiful. ‘Behave yerself, Joey, there wouldn’t be enough chairs to go round. Besides, I’ve nothing to give them with their cup of tea. I’m not made of money, yer know.’
The idea was beginning to catch on in Ginny’s head. ‘They won’t be expecting anything to eat, Mam, they’ll all have had their dinner!’ She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the knocker. ‘Ooh, I wonder who this is? I’ll go, Mam.’
Bobby was standing behind his sister and he grinned at Ginny. ‘I thought I’d better walk her up, with it being dark. And I’ll call for her if yer tell me what time yer’ll be throwing her out.’
Ginny didn’t know about the broken biscuits and her mother’s headache, so she didn’t hesitate to say, ‘Oh, come in, Bobby! David from next door is coming, I think, and he’d be glad to see yer.’
‘Oh, okay, I’ll be able to tell him how I’m getting on in me job.’ Bobby was very pleased with himself. He hadn’t been expecting to find work so quickly, had thought it would be weeks at the earliest. And although it was only his second day working at George Parr’s, he knew he’d hopped in lucky. The skilled gas fitter he’d been put with was brilliant, a fast, efficient worker, and a comedian into the bargain. He was dead funny the things he came out with, and he didn’t talk down to Bobby but treated him like an equal. ‘And I can tell yer dad, ’cos I know he’d be interested with tipping me off about the firm in the first place.’
Beth had heard all this and decided it was no use worrying, it was out of her hands now. ‘Slip next door, Joey, and ask David to come in.’
‘He won’t come if his talk-a-bit sister’s here. He gets enough of her at home.’
‘That’s for him to decide, sunshine, not you. Besides, you were the one who wanted him to come in the first place! Remind me to box yer ears in the morning before yer go to school.’
Joey was beaming as he dashed across the room to give her a kiss. ‘Ye’re a smasher, Mam, and I don’t half love yer.’ With that he smiled at the first of the visitors before making for the house next door. And while he went the front way, his mother was running up next door’s yard.
‘Dot, have yer got any biscuits yer can let me have?’ Beth shook her head when she was invited in. ‘I can’t stay, they’ll all wonder where I’ve got to. It’s just that things have got a bit out of hand. Our Ginny was inviting a few of her friends, which I could have coped with, but the numbers seem to be growing. Bobby walked Amelia up and Ginny, God love her, asked him to stay as well. And now our Joey’s in your living room inviting David. Now I’ve no objection at all, sunshine, honest. I wouldn’t care if the house was full and they were standing on each other’s toes, but I would like to be able to offer them a biscuit that’s all in one piece.’
Dot grinned. ‘I can let yer have half a packet of arrowroot, girl, but that’s about me limit until the weekend. Ye’re welcome to them, though, honest. And I’ll get our Joan to ask some of her mates here next time, save you having all the bother.’
‘Ye’re a pal, sunshine, and I do appreciate it.’ Beth tucked the packet of biscuits under her arm, where they were hidden from view. ‘I’ll see yer tomorrow.’
As she slipped in through the kitchen door, Beth’s son was coming through the front with Joan and David. There were lots of greetings and chatter, and Beth was thankful nobody seemed to have missed her. ‘There’s only yer friend Marie to come now, sunshine. Are yer sure she knows her way here?’
It was Joan who answered. As soon as she’d set eyes on Bobby, she’d begun to show off. ‘Of course she does! She was in our class at school, and I know she was a bit thick, but not that thick.’
Ginny gasped. ‘What are you talking about, Joan? Marie didn’t do badly at school.’ She could have made a fool of her friend and said Marie was higher in class than Joan was, but it wasn’t in her to embarrass anyone. ‘If she hears yer saying that she won’t think it’s a bit funny so kindly keep remarks like that to yerself. I like her, I invited her here, and I don’t want you insulting her.’
David nodded. ‘Our kid needs putting in her place, Ginny, she’s far too big-headed for no reason at all. She’s certainly no brain-box.’
‘Well, this is a nice way to start the evening, I’m sure,’ Beth said. ‘So I’m laying down a few house rules. There’ll be no raising of voices, no sarcasm, no insults and no showing off. If yer stick to those rules, we can all have an enjoyable evening.’ She cocked an ear. ‘That’s the door, Ginny, d’yer want me to go?’
But Ginny was already opening the door while her mother was still speaking. ‘I thought something had happened to stop yer coming.’
Marie’s wide grin was there to cheer Ginny’s heart. ‘I didn’t like leaving me mam with the dishes, so I stayed to give her a hand.’
‘I’ll believe yer where thousands wouldn’t.’ Ginny jerked her head. ‘Come on, get yerself inside, me mam is waiting to meet yer.’
‘She doesn’t know what she’s letting herself in for.’ Marie was laughing as she entered the room, her wonderful smile almost as wide as her face. But she got a surprise when she saw the room was full. Ginny had told her Joan and a girl called Amelia would be there, but she hadn’t expected boys as well. She soon gathered herself together and laughed, ‘If yer’d told me it was going to be a party, Ginny, I would have worn a long dress and brought me dance shoes.’
Her smile and bubbling personality won Beth and Andy over right away. She looked such a happy, friendly girl, you couldn’t help but take to her. And another one who was smitten at first sight was David. At sixteen he’d never had a girlfriend, never shown the slightest interest in the opposite sex. But one look at Marie’s happy, smiling face, and he started to take an interest. Secretly he was over the moon because for once he didn’t have any pimples. He quickly jumped to his feet and offered her his seat on the couch. ‘D’yer want to sit down?’
‘We’re going to sit around the table so we can have a natter,’ Ginny said. ‘But first, as your hostess for the evening, it’s part of my job to make sure everyone is introduced. Now, there’s only Marie who hasn’t met yer before, so I’ll do the introductions before we sit down.’
So, starting with her parents, Ginny took Marie around and introduced her to everyone except Joan who had spent nine years in the same class as them. She was looking a little peeved, was Joan, seeing Marie as a rival who was stirring up a lot of interest. Still, she comforted herself, it was only because she was new. And Bobby didn’t seem that interested anyway. He was being friendly, but his eyes weren’t popping out of his head like her brother’s. Silly nit, he hadn’t a clue about girls. If Marie spoke to him h
e’d probably curl up and die.
When things had calmed down, Bobby took David’s arm and led him over to where Andy was sitting. ‘I want to tell Mr Porter about me job.’
And because young Joey told himself the boys wouldn’t be here but for him, he trooped after them. He wasn’t going to be left with a group of giggling girls. Then, in his head, he apologised to his sister, who wasn’t a giggler unless it was over something worth giggling about. And Amelia was a very quiet girl, the sort he could put up with. He reserved judgement on Marie even though from what he had seen she was the happy-go-lucky sort. But he didn’t need to reserve judgement on Joan – he’d always thought she was a pain in the neck.
The girls sat on the wooden dining chairs around the table, talking about their new jobs and their ambitions. Ginny glossed over hers by leaving out any mention of Frances Landers and concentrating on the good things. Marie’s goal in life was to be a shop assistant. Amelia wanted to move to another department where the wages would be better. Joan didn’t seem to know what she wanted. She didn’t mind Dunlop’s, but it was the smell that put her off. Her dad had said she’d get used to it and wouldn’t even notice it after a few days, but this had been her third day and she still hated that smell.
Andy sat in his fireside chair, deep in conversation with the boys who squatted on the floor around him. For once Joey was quiet as he listened to the older lads. It wouldn’t be that long before he left school and then he could join in with them. It slipped his mind that as he grew older, so would the others and they’d always be those three years ahead of him.
Now and then roars of laughter would come from the group, and the loudest was Andy’s. Even Beth, who was sitting on the arm of her husband’s chair, had tears of merriment rolling down her cheeks due to the tales Bobby was telling them about the man he’d been put to work with. From the boy’s description, the chap was stocky in build, had red curly hair, hazel eyes and a ruddy complexion. Along with these came a brilliant sense of humour and a smile that was always quick to appear. His name was Jeff Walsh, and from the enthusiastic way Bobby spoke and the laughter in his voice, this man was just the person to help him along the road to recovery after losing his father.
